Britain has dealt with similar large-scale air travel disruption before. When the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted in Iceland in 2010, the resulting ash cloud caused Europe-wide travel chaos. Then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown convened the government’s emergency COBRA crisis committee, which can pull the disparate strands of the British machine together to try to coordinate a response.
Asked Friday if the government will make a similar move, Miliband said: “I’m sure the government will be convening in the most appropriate way. I’m not going to anticipate the precise form of that, but I’m already in touch with my colleagues on this issue.”
What about trade?
The disruption — especially if it goes on for days — could also have “far-reaching impacts” for international trade, according to Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, pointing out that Heathrow is the “U.K.’s largest freight hub by value.”
“Essential goods due to be delivered and leave will now face days of disruption, and because it’s air freight a lot of the goods are time sensitive. Even once flights recommence planes, crew and products will all be in the wrong place,” he added.
Ben Farrell, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply said the disruption would take “days, if not weeks to unpick and leave goods, crew and planes out of sync.”
“Supply chains work on a just-in-time basis and the whole operation is meticulously planned to ensure goods enter and exit the country in a timely fashion,” he added.